---- smiling like it didn't kill me. "That's right," I said. "I like it this way. Born dirty, not worthy of walking beside you. Go find someone better." Jason laughed and lifted me up. "Can't help it, Ethan. Who could say no to such an enthusiastic beauty?" Ethan smiled back, but it was cold as death. "Be my guest. She's too filthy for me." That word-"filthy'"-slashed through me like a silver blade. Again. And again. But I'd gotten used to it by now. Rumors said Jason was rough and violent. I braced myself for the worst. But that night, just as he began, he got a call-something urgent in his pack -and left without a word. ---- Tended up alone in the hotel room and slept through the night. In my dreams, I felt someone standing over me, watching, burning me alive with their gaze. But when I woke up, I was alone. The next morning, just as I stepped out of the hotel, Kevin ambushed me. "Sis! Give me money! If you don't, they'll kill me! I know you've got cash! You just spent the night with a guy!" He lunged for my bag, dumping everything onto the sidewalk. When he found nothing, he grabbed at my clothes right there in the open. I shoved him off. He came at me again. I slapped him hard across the face. "That money's for Mom and Dad!" ---- He screamed and charged. His hand was mid- swing when someone kicked him away. "You looking to die?" I looked up. Ethan. He was dressed in luxury, radiating power. Kevin's eyes lit up. He ran over, clutching Ethan's leg. 'My dear brother-in-law! I knew you still cared about Joy! Please, give me money or they'll kill me!" Ethan didn't react. He just turned to me. Kevin pulled me over, shoving me in front of Ethan. "Look! It's my sister! Your mate! The Luna of your past!" He turned to me, desperate. "Joy! Beg him! Tell him you're sorry! He'll help!" ..Luna? ---- The word hit me like a silver strike to the chest. My knees gave out. Kevin kept tugging on me, shouting, begging. I fell to the ground in front of Ethan. He frowned and crouched down, gripping my chin. His eyes were a storm-rage and something else buried deep. "T gave you enough money when we broke off our mate bond," he said, low and cold. "And yet you're out here selling yourself? You enjoy this? Joy, name your price. Whatever you want -just say it, and I'll pay." My heart bled. But I smiled through the pain, eyes full of tears. "Ethan," I said. "I'd rather earn my money dirty than ever beg you again."